Much is said about identity. I have had the benefit of sitting under some excellent teaching on the subject. Now and then when I look in the mirror and assess my current state of being, I think for a minute that I understand the mystery of identity. Then I am quickly reminded that I have only scratched the surface of understanding. For most of my life I did not even know the matter was worthy of investigation. So, I begin to take inventory of who I am, what I am about, what I believe – and how I am known. I examine my thoughts about who I desire to be. That brings a basic and simple answer: I just want to be known as – His.

To the best of my ability and with the leading of Holy Spirit, I desire to live my life in holiness – set apart for God’s glory. I desire to be a vessel of honor, a place where Jesus can reside and shine through, where He can be seen and His presence can be felt. I long for my Father to see me as obedient, and teachable, and willing. The Word tells me I was created in His image, and for His good pleasure. That is good by me. It says I have a calling and a purpose. I receive that. At the end of the day, I just want to be known as – His.

When someone meets me for the very first time, I want them to sense that I have just been with Jesus. I want that person to desire a bit of whatever it is that is pouring out of me. I want them to quickly tell that I know who I am, that I know whose I am – His.

In this world of uncertainty and mixed messages and political correctness and blurred lines, a person can easily get lost in the confusion. What I was taught just a few years ago seems to no longer apply. Rules are broken and things that were once deemed precious are trampled on and treated with reckless disregard. Words that have been in our language for centuries are now being redefined. People in authority are telling us that evil is good and good is evil. Much of what was once held as truth now seems to be turned upside down. Who can rest in peace while standing on such shaky ground?

It is no wonder we can easily be robbed of our identity. If we are not watchful, we can be stripped of all that we thought we knew, and be fed an entirely different doctrine, especially if we are too easily swayed by the opinions of others. We can quickly fall and be trampled by a crowd that has been whipped into a frenzy by a few with an agenda.

Do you know who you are? Can you recite what you believe – and stand on it even if you are in the minority? Have you established your own values and beliefs, or have you let someone else write that chapter for you? Have you built a firm foundation that will not erode as the winds of doctrine are swirling all around you? Is what you are living for worth dying for? Scripture tells us everything that can be shaken will be shaken. Will you have anything left when that happens?

I know that I am the child of the Most High God and He loves me unconditionally. I know that He made me in His image and for His good purpose. I know Jesus calls me his beloved. I know that everything about me is there for a reason and nothing about me has come by accident. I know that I have been given gifts and callings to use for the purpose of furthering the gospel of the Kingdom of God, and my life is sweet when I am living accordingly. I know that I have been given an absolute free will to choose or reject my Creator – I also know that rejecting Him would be the biggest mistake of my life. For certain I know everything that happens in my life is ultimately for my joy and His glory, whether or not I can see that at the time – and it is way less bumpy when I choose to trust and just roll with it. I know I have been given an invitation to lean on the Lord for guidance, and He will never leave me nor forsake me. That means I can be at peace at all times, in all places, in all circumstances; but I must affirmatively choose to walk in that peace. I know I am weak in my flesh but strong in Him. I know I am the forgiven of the Lord, no matter my past indiscretions. I know that I have already died to my flesh and have been risen with Jesus, and I will continue to live through all eternity, even when this body in which I currently reside returns to the dust. And I know how I want to be known – as His.

When this chapter of my life is finished and folks gather together to remember me, I just want to be known as His. As my Father sits on His throne, with His Son Jesus at His side, He will smile as He hears me declare, “Daddy God, You are mine and I am Yours!” Are you His?